Annual Food Bank Event

“You volunteer for many different reasons, but for whatever reason you volunteer, you provide support, skills, talents and abilities that give someone hope and strength, and the courage to face another day.” Denise Blok, CEO of the Hays County Food Bank had opening remarks to give at the recent Food Bank’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.

Volunteers are the heart and muscle of the Hays County Food Bank. They drive the vans that pick up food, weigh, sort, and shelf food donations, hand out food to partner agencies and at public food distributions, and help out in the front office. Since the Food Bank relies so heavily on the backs of volunteers, it is only fitting to recognize them.

Holly Hood, the Food Bank’s Volunteer Services Manager, organized the event that occurred Friday, May 13th at Dunbar Recreation Center. Texas Roadhouse in San Marcos donated pulled pork and all the fixins while Starbucks donated fresh coffee. The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce loaned some decorations from their recent Luau. Island music played in the background and there were photo areas for fun Hawaiian-themed pictures.

Volunteers with at least 100 hours of service were recognized with a certificate. Individuals who had 100-249 hours are: Nicole Baucum, William Becker, Eric Burns, Rachel Cooper, Mimi Davis, Joe Gonzales, Sara Goodell, Scottie Gordon, Carol Grimm, Gadys Isaacs, Maya Al Joubarani, Larry Leos, Kathy Luckett, Cindy Maksymowicz, Martin Maldonado, Nysha Morgan, Rudy Rodriguez, Lori Spencer, Paula Stiles, Antonio Taylor, Milton Vaverek, Catrina Ware, Michael Way, and Susie Way.

Volunteers with 250-499 hours include: Scott Brasfield, Shellea Dolman, Darlene Hill, Sharon King, Zygmunt Maksymowicz, Linda Milligen, Delysia Moore, Luis Plaza-Munet, Tanya Slavik, and Eloy Tarin.

Volunteers with 500-999 hours include: Nancy Basey, Bert Flanagan, Diane Gardner, Thomas Kuny, Henry Pinchin, and Tom Roach.

Volunteers with at least 1,000 hours include: Robert Gaertner, Phillip Hicks, Penny Slavik, and Douglas Wood.

The most veteran volunteer who has about a decade of service and over 5,000 hours logged with the Hays County Food Bank is Josh Reynolds. He was awarded his very own medal of service and gave a wonderful speech about helping those in need in Hays County.

The Food Bank’s first ever ‘Volunteer of the Month’ was chosen by current volunteers, and this honor went to Penny Slavik. Penny has been volunteering nearly every week for 2 years and has accumulated almost 1,500 volunteer hours.

2016 has kicked off great with volunteers donating over 7,000 hours of their time. If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact Holly Hood at (512) 392-8300 x222 or at hhood@haysfoodbank.org. You can also click the Volunteer tab at www.HaysFoodBank.org.